Feeder with timed batch mixing system

Claim 1

A feeder for providing a continuously maintained supply of drinking water, and a periodic delivery of a freshly prepared food batch comprised of food granules mixed with water, which feeder comprises: a base having an upper wall structure comprising a substantially circular platform, and a lower wall structure comprising a feeding dish compartment and a water trough compartment below said platform; a feeding dish in said feeding dish compartment; a water trough in said water trough compartment, and having a drinking opening extending to one side of said platform; a float-controlled water supply valve, connected to a water supply and mounted on the walls of said water trough compartment in association with said drinking water trough to continuously maintain a predetermined level of drinking water in said trough; a food delivery system mounted on said platform and comprising: a substantially cylindrical housing surmounted by a removable cover, and detachably latched to said platform, said housing including a substantially horizontal intermediate wall dividing the interior of said housing into an upper hopper compartment and a lower motor compartment; a drive shaft, disposed vertically at the axis of said housing, and rotatably mounted in said horizontal wall structure, said drive shaft including motor coupling means at its lower end in said motor compartment, and key means in its upper end in said hopper compartment; a hopper rotor received on the upper end of said drive shaft in said hopper compartment and mating with said key means of said drive shaft, and said hopper rotor having radial walls defining a plurality of sectorial hoppers; a motor means in said motor compartment coupled to said drive shaft for rotational drive of said hopper rotor in an advancing direction; a flap comprising the bottom of each sectorial hopper, each said flap being hinged to one of said radial walls on the leading side of its corresponding hopper; a chute for delivery of food granules from one of said sectorial hoppers to said food dish, said chute including a chute opening under said hopper rotor in said hopper compartment, said chute opening mating with the bottom flap of each sectorial hopper, in turn, as said hopper rotor is rotated in said advancing direction, to permit the drop of said flap and the discharge of the contents of said hopper through said chute to said food dish; a mixing water delivery system including a line from said water supply, a nozzle discharging into said food dish, a timer-controlled valve in said mixing water line for delivery of water for a predetermined period, upon each actuation; and switch means for actuating said timer valve upon each delivery of food granules through said chute to said food dish; and a feeding timer system for actuating said motor at each feeding period to drive said hopper rotor sufficiently to advance to the next successive food hopper.